Chapter 3
1139 Words
CHAPTER 3
Lucia'S POV
My knees scraped against the cold stone floor as the guards forced me to kneel in the grand throne room.
My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst from my chest.
The enormous golden throne was placed at the center of the room, and sitting upon it was the Alpha King himself, Alpha Xerus, ruler of the kingdom, Xander’s father.
His piercing amber eyes bore into me and they were filled with nothing but contempt.
Warriors, nobles, and council members all stood watching, their expressions twisted with judgment and disgust, it made my skin crawl.
"P-Please, Your Majesty, I don’t understand what’s happening." I pleaded as I struggled to steady my breathing.
Alpha King Xerus’s face darkened, his voice echoing through the throne room like thunder. "Silence!"
I flinched, my hands trembling as I clutched the fabric of my dress.
"You dare to act innocent?" His voice dripped with venom, "You seduced my son, thinking you could slither your way into the royal family."
He then leaned forward, his stare pinning me in place, "Just like your father," his lips curled in disgust, "a traitor who turned his back on this pack. Did you really think I would ever allow you to be with Xander?"
I let out a sharp breath as I shook my head frantically, "No, I swear! I never…"
"Enough!" He slammed his fist against the arm of the throne, "You are unworthy of even speaking to me!"
I felt my chest tighten as the room felt suffocating. Everyone whispered insults and gave me extremely hateful stares.
I turned to Xander, desperate for him to say something, anything.
But he just stood there with a cold and unreadable expression on his face.
"Xander," I whispered in shame, "Tell them… tell them the truth. You love me."
He clenched his jaw, then, his voice cut through me like a blade.
"I, Alpha Prince Xander, future heir to the Pack, reject you, Lucia Nightshade, as my mate."
Oh goddess, the world stopped as I heard that.
I stared at him with wide eyes, unable to breathe as I just couldn't believe this was happening.
I felt the mate bond snap, and raw, unbearable pain flooded my chest. The pain was so searing that it made it hard for me to breathe.
I gasped, clutching my chest as the rejection ripped through me.
But before I could even process it, I heard a soft feminine laugh echo through the room.
I lifted my head to see who that was and it was none other than Rhea, daughter of a high-ranking noble.
Rhea had long golden hair, delicate features, and a sickeningly sweet smile. She was the picture of innocence.
"Hmph," She mocked as she strolled up to Xander and slid her hands over his chest. Then, right in front of me and everyone, she pulled him down into a passionate kiss.
You know what was worse?! Xander didn’t pull away, he didn’t even hesitate.
I watched in horror as his hands gripped her waist as if she were the only thing that mattered.
Just then, the crowd erupted with hatred towards me.
"Shameless girl!" An elder yelled.
"Daughter of a traitor!" A woman said loudly with scorn.
"Did she think she would become Luna and could take over our kingdom?" A she-wolf sneered.
"She deserves this!"
Each insult was like a dagger piercing right into my skin. My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes, my heart crumbling to pieces right there on the palace floor.
I had given Xander everything, my love, my trust, my body. And he had discarded me like I was nothing but trash.
And the painful part? He didn’t even look guilty, he didn’t even care.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched him and Rhea still glued in the deep kiss.
Then, as if this day couldn’t get any worse, Rhea turned to me.
"Come with me," she said with a soft and almost kind voice.
I didn’t trust her, but my legs moved on their own, following her as the noise of the crowd faded behind us.
She led me to an empty corridor, away from everyone, and then she turned to me with her sweet smile still in place.
"You should leave," she said simply.
"W-What?" I frowned.
"You should run, Lucia," she repeated, stepping closer, "No one here wants you. You saw it yourself. You’re nothing but a stain on Xander’s reputation."
"You don’t know anything about me." I blurted out with clenched fists.
"Oh, but I do," She replied, unbothered, as her eyes gleamed with something cruel, "I know that for the past two months, you’ve been waiting for Xander to mark you. Hoping and begging."
She let out an evil laugh, shaking her head, "But do you want to know why he never did?"
I swallowed, my throat tight as my heart raced.
She leaned in, her breath brushing against my ear. "Because he already had me."
No! My blood turned to ice as I shook my head, "You’re lying."
"Am I?" She smirked, then she placed her hand on her stomach.
Oh goddess, I hoped it wasn't what I was thinking.
"I’m pregnant," she whispered.
The world spun around me the minute those words left her lips. I felt like I was going to collapse any second.
"That’s right. I'm pregnant with Xander’s child," She giggled, "While you were busy waiting for him to claim you, he was already building a future with me."
I staggered back as I began struggling to breathe.
"He told me he wasn’t ready for commitment," I choked out, "He said he needed time."
Rhea shook her head in mock pity, looking at me as if I was a fool.
"And yet, here I am," She placed a gentle hand on her belly, "Our child will be born into royalty. Oh, and next week, I will be crowned as his Luna."
I let out a shaky breath. This had to be a nightmare, please someone wake me up and tell me I was having a nightmare.
Rhea sighed dramatically, "You see, Lucia, you don’t belong here. You never did."
Tears spilled down my cheeks uncontrollably, I felt so used.
"Go," she whispered, "Before they truly make you suffer."
She reached out and brushed a tear from my cheek like she was doing me a favor. And then she said the words that shattered the last piece of me.
"It would be unfair to my child if you were here distracting his father."
I couldn’t take it anymore. With a strangled sob, I turned and ran. Hot tears blurred my vision, but I didn’t stop as I ran as far away as I could.
My mind just couldn't believe it, Xander had utterly destroyed me!
- Writer
